St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-05
AN ACTRESS DOWNFALL.
Sara Jewett's Career Ruined by a
Love for Opium.

Love for Opium.
New YORK, Oct 4.-Miss Sara Jewett.
formerly the leading lady of the Uniol,
Square theater, applied yesterday to the
Actors Fund charity for money to buy
the necessaries of life. The story of
Miss JeWett's misfortune has no par
allel among the famous actresses of the
American stage. Instances of IniSfOr-
tune in theatrical life are by no means
rare, but case like this one is un-
known. Nothing has been published
thus far about the matter. although the
facts were known in certain quarters
some days ago, through a letter which
well-knOwn woman of the stage wrote
In this letter the following passage APP
peared:
The efforts of Sara Jewett's friends to con-
ceal the real condition OF things partake of
the nature of mistaken kindness. l believe
if the full story of her misery were tnld the
many friends whom she still retains and who
still cherish her memory, and the thousands
of people who have been delighted by her
acting. would step forward eagerly and ex-
tend their assistance. New York life is such Il
rush and whirl that nothing is SO easy as to be
forgotten. and the relation of the true story
of Miss Jewett's unhappiness could not help
doing her good. 1t is doubtful if any actress
has held warmer place in thedter-g0ers'
Square theater in the zenith OF The success of
that house, when the late Charles X. Thorne
was leading man, and the productions were
q constant series of triumphs Miss JeYett
was the bright particular Star of the cast
In 'The Two Orphans, Rose Michel and
the other well-knOwn pieces, Miss Jewett's
creations, were continually successful. There
was never breath OF scandal whispered
against her name, and she was n very pro-
nounced favorite of the woman portion Of
the audience. She had fully as many admir-
ers among the women as among the men. and
she was one OF the most popular members of
SoroSis and other womens clubs Miss
Jewett's methods were quiet and artistic;
she was never sensational actress, did not
rant, and imbued most of her characters with
certain domesticity and sentiment that
formed the groundwork of her reputation.
Her life was simple when off the stage, and,
though she drove occasionally in the park,
she was seldom seen in public. In fact, it
would have been difficult at that time TO
have picked out all actress whose future
| seemed so assured as that of the leading lady
| of what was at that time unquestionably the
| foremost theater in America.
| In person, Miss Jewett was of medium
| height, with slender but Well-rounded
| form, light hair. and dimpied face.
| She came of excellent family, and had
| relatives living in New York. When
! the collapse of the Union Square theater
| came, Charles r. Thorne died, and the
| strongest company of the time was dis
banded. Sara Jewett was inundated
| with offers from managers all over the
| country. She went out with one COM
| pany after another on the road, but
| never stayed any length of time, but in
| variably came back to New York. eX-
| pressing more or less dissatisfaction
with her engagements. No one seemed
| to suspect the true cause of her repeated
| failures. as there was never question
| of her ability as an actress. Last night,
| in the Hoffman house, one of her former
managers was asked about this portion
| of Miss Jewett's career. He cheWed the
| end of his cigar modify for a moment,
! and then said shortly:
| 'Are the facts known about Miss Jewetts"
| ut is known that she applied to the Actors
| Fund for assistance, and that Manager a. II.
| Palmer sent his check for $780,
YES 1 know about that. Thesfund viii
| undoubtedly restore the money to Mr.. Palmer.
| He sent his personal check, because it takes
| some time for the machinery of the Actor 8
| Fund to work, and Miss Jewett's needs were
| pressing. What meant to ask was whether
| it was generally known that opium was at the
| bottom of all her troublesf''
II have heard it from half dozen men to.
| night
"Well, that is the cause Of the whole thing.
| 1t numbs all her senses, makes her utterly
| threatened to wreck what was once one Of
| the most beautiful and intelligent actresses
| on the American stage. The craze began
shortly after Miss Jewett left the Union
| Square theatre. Like most people of intense
artistic. temperament tho drug excited
| her violently, and soon got grip
that nothing has been able TO
| loosen. 1t simply transforms her when she
| is under its influence, and her will has
grown weaker and weaker as her excuses
have increased, until nothing of the brilliant
| woman who once held complete sway in New
| York remains but physical wreck. Man
| ayers had extraordinary trouble with Miss
| Jewett from the fact that her native dignity
and gentleness warded off for a time ali In
| quiries but after a little she became so Ut.
| terly fuddled that her friends made an effort
to save her. Every effort up to this time has
| ute rly failed. One by one her friends have
| dropped off until now but few of them re-
main. She was only two weeks in my COM
| pany and then we were obliged to cancel her
| contract. Mr.. Palmer has been staunch and
good helper to her throughout. for he never
fails to realize how much she had to do with
the success of his first troupe. If it had been
in his power there is no doubt he would have
restrained her from applying to public char
ity, but the limit was reached long ago..